Ancelotti Has Cash To Spend

Chelsea has confirmed that boss Carlo Ancelotti will be handed more transfer funds if the Italian coach asks for them.

Ancelotti has so far made just one major summer signing with the acquisition of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for £5million.

The Israel captain's pre-season progress has been hampered by a slight groin problem but he is expected to be included on the club's forthcoming tour of Germany.

The club have also lost defender Alex and goalkeeper Petr Cech through injury and chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has confirmed that funds will be made available to Ancelotti should the Chelsea boss require them.

"If Carlo wants to bring a player or two into the squad then we will look at that," Gourlay told Sky Sports News.

"It has to be the right player to fit into the squad and obviously at the right price.

"If these things all come together then fine, we'll strengthen the squad. But only if Carlo feels it's necessary."

Meanwhile, Gourlay has made it clear that striker Didier Drogba, back at the club's training ground after groin surgery, is not for sale.

The Ivory Coast forward had been linked with a move to Manchester City by the player's agent but Gourlay said: "Didier will be a Chelsea player next year. Didier is under contract.

"The thing about this time of year is we always get (this). For our players to be in the news - it's normal.

"But Didier Drogba will be a Chelsea player next year."

Deco's future also continues to be the subject of continued speculation with Fluminese rumoured to be ready to land the Portugal midfielder.

But the player was undergoing double training sessions at Cobham on Wednesday. It is understood he wants to return to his native Brazil to be with his ill son.

Benfica Demand £33m For Chelsea Target David Luiz

Benfica have demanded £33m for top Chelsea defensive target David Luiz, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Chelsea, who are set to sign Benfica midfielder Ramires in a £20m deal, have now been told to up their offer of £27m for the star defender.

Luiz, who received his first call-up to the senior Brazil team yesterday, is one of Europe's most highly rated youngsters and has also been targeted by big spenders Manchester City.

Whether Roman Abramovich will stump up the necessary cash to keep Luiz out of City's clutches remains to be seen, but it is also understood that Real Madrid are interested in the Brazilian.

Chelsea, who is without the injured Alex, could find themselves short in numbers if their bid from Luiz is unsuccessful.

But manager Carlo Ancelotti will be buoyed by the news that Ramires has finally returned from Portugal, in order to put the finishing touches to his move to Stamford Bridge - meaning the deal could be tied up within the next few days.

Feyenoord Loan Move For Franco Di Santo Fails Over Chelsea Wage Demands

Feyenoord technical director Leo Beenhakker has confirmed a loan move for striker Franco Di Santo has been cancelled after Chelsea demanded a wage contribution.

Di Santo, 21, had been lined up by the Eredivisie side to bolster their attacking options for the season ahead. Negotiations had begun to allow the Argentine to follow his spell at Blackburn Rovers with another temporary switch.

Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, Beenhakker stated Feyenoord had moved on to other targets as they couldn't afford to contribute to Di Santo's wages.

"Chelsea requires a contribution towards the salary of Di Santo and we can not afford that," Beenhakker revealed.

"I do have more irons in the fire, though no guarantees. I'll keep searching for a striker."

Sporting CP Look To Sign Chelsea Defender Michael Mancienne

Sporting CP are one of a clutch of foreign teams eager to snap up Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, according to The Mirror.

Mancienne, 22, is believed to have handed in a transfer request after spending the last two seasons on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manager Mick McCarthy was reported to be keen to make the deal permanent for £4 million, but will now face competition from Malaga, Sevilla and Sporting to secure the player.

It is not yet known if Chelsea will sanction his sale as Ricardo Carvalho has stated his desire to move to Real Madrid. If a replacement cannot be found, Mancienne could be forced to stay at Stamford Bridge next season.

Chelsea's Jack Cork To Sign On Loan

Swansea City have been linked with a season-long loan move for Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork.

It hasn't taken long for the media to link Brendan Rodgers with one of his former colleagues at Chelsea.

The Swans boss worked with Jack Cork whilst he was Youth Team Manager at Stamford Bridge, and the Mirror believe that Rodgers will team up with him again next season.

The 21 year-old has had a number of loan spells at various clubs including Bournemouth, Scunthorpe, Southampton, Watford and Coventry. Last season, he spent the final few months on loan at Burnley.

Cork is a versatile player who is comfortable both in defence and midfield.

Jack's father Alan, former manager of Swansea City, says his son is willing to leave Chelsea for a lower-League club.

Alan Cork said in May:

"I think he’s pretty much realized now that it’s not going to happen for him at Chelsea,"

"He has been there since he was seven but they’ve got about 40 players, and they have just won the Youth Cup so they have a lot of good young players.

"They have Ryan Bertrand who has been out on loan at Reading, Scott Sinclair at Wigan and Michael Mancienne at Wolves.

"If eight or nine of them go back at once they’re not all going to get a game.

"Jack has got two years left on his contract at Chelsea, so it’s all down to what they want to do.

"I think Coventry put a bid in for him previously but they turned it down.

"He’ll go back to speak to Chelsea and Frank Arnesen on Monday or Tuesday and find out what their plans are.

"He has played in a few teams that have been struggling now and I think he would just like to be in a team that is winning more games.

"He would go anywhere.

"I don’t think dropping down to the Championship would worry him.

"It’s been disappointing for Jack that Burnley has been relegated but personally it has gone well for him.

"He has enjoyed it there."

Kakuta On Target And Into Under-19 Finals

Gael Kakuta and France will contest Friday's European Under 19 Championship Final. The Chelsea midfielder netted for the second time in the tournament as Croatia were beaten 2-1 on Tuesday evening.

Kakuta, behind much that has been good from an impressive French side in this tournament, found it hard to make inroads in the early stages of the match in Caen and indeed it was Croatia who took the lead after just three minutes. A well-directed free-kick was headed in by Arijan Ademi.

A good start by the newcomers to these Finals gave way to plenty of possession by France who hit the post through Gilles Sunu.

Then on 38 minutes Kakuta equalised when his own ball wide was turned back his way by an ill-judged Croatian header and he finished unerringly inside the box with his left foot. It was the first time Matej Delac had been beaten in three matches.

Now Kakuta began to show good touches but Delac wasn't tested until five minutes into the second half when the keeper who will move to Chelsea next season saved a low free-kick.

In the 77th minute he produced a very good save to keep out Alexandre Lacazette but could do nothing about substitute Cedric Bakambu's perfectly-placed 80th minute winner.

In Tuesday's other semi final, Jacob Mellis played the first 59 minutes of England's exit to Spain.

There can be few complaints from the England side who were second best for much of the game and conceded three quality goals, although Noel Blake's side scored an excellent one themselves to make it 2-1, Tottenham's John Bostock volleying in from distance.

Mellis could have headed an opener in the first minute of the 3-1 defeat but the keeper made a fine save and the Chelsea midfielder had an early shot fly over. He was replaced in the second half by Sunderland's Ryan Noble.

So there is to be no Under 19 rematch of this summer's Under 17 Final between England and Spain.

Instead host nation France take on the Spanish in a repeat of the 2008 European Under 17 Final that was contested by many of the same players that will be in action on Friday. That match was won by Spain.

Mauri Joins Coaching Team

Chelsea Football Club welcomes Giovanni Mauri as an addition to our first-team technical staff.

A fitness coach, the Italian has previously worked with Carlo Ancelotti at two Serie A clubs and has also coached with teams in Switzerland. He will augment Chelsea's existing staff.

'Giovanni worked for me for two years at Parma and eight years at Milan,' explains Ancelotti, 'and he has a lot of experience because he hasn't worked just with football teams, he has also worked with cycling teams.

'He has very important experience and he will be a support to [first-team fitness coach] Glen Driscoll and [head of sports science] Nick Broad in the physical training.'

Mauri brings with him 25 years' worth of experience of working in professional sport.

Italian Style Meets English Champions

Chelsea Football Club are delighted to announce a three-year partnership with world-renowned designers Dolce&Gabbana.

The iconic Italian fashion house will be providing the formal club suits and create the Dolce&Gabbana Lounge in the West Stand, as well as the club's main reception.

'We are really happy about this partnership and to be able to link our name to such a prestigious club like Chelsea,' said Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

'We are big football fans, for us it means healthy competition, intense passion and great discipline.

'Football players are style icons both on and off the pitch and, on top of this, there is our love of England and of London, which have always been a source of inspiration for our work.'

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay added: 'We are delighted Dolce&Gabbana will be our official supplier of formal wear for the next three years.

'Their designs for this season's team wear are exceptional and we're excited to be partnering with such a world-renowned and innovative design house.

'In addition to dressing the team, Dolce&Gabbana's comprehensive redesign of the club's Directors' Lounge and other key areas of the stadium will also serve to showcase our relationship over the next few seasons.'

The official club suits commanded the greatest attention to detail. They use the colour blue, which is also the colour for the exclusive Dolce&Gabbana logo on the tag found on the clothes, which would usually be white.

Two outfits were created for the players. A dark blue three-piece suit includes a two-button jacket with the lion rampant reguardant crest embroidered on the pocket. This is matched with a blue shirt, a dark blue jacquard tie, black shoes and belt.

The second outfit is a pair of jeans, worn with a Martini shirt and black trainers. A black wool coat completes their wardrobe.

Both players and staff will also be provided with a blue leather trolley bag with a metal Dolce&Gabbana tag.

The Directors' Lounge will be an exclusive space where guests will be able to experience unique matchday hospitality typical of the Dolce&Gabbana style.

The design concept of the space, conceived according to the purest Dolce&Gabbana style, is characterised by brand new materials and details. Walls, furniture and small details have all been created in blue which is in contrast to the steel of the chairs and sofa, to the oak floors and to the gold and silver of the frames.

Dolce&Gabbana will also redesign a number of areas at Stamford Bridge including the main reception of the club and the Millennium Suites corridor.

Chelsea Aim For Full-Strength Selection

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes every fit member of Chelsea's first-team squad will be ready to play in the first game of the new Premier League season.

The reigning champions begin their title defence at home to West Bromwich Albion on August 14 and manager Carlo Ancelotti will be able to call on a full-strength squad.

Unlike title rivals Manchester United, who have already confirmed that players who competed in the World Cup will miss the opening weeks of the season, Wilkins claims every fit member of the squad will be available for selection.

"Things are going great, the lads have come back in reasonably good condition and that's the modern day professional, they work extremely hard to keep themselves in good shape," he told the official website.

"It's far easier to retain fitness than it is to regain it, so the lads have taken that on board and they look very good indeed.

"It is good to have the whole group back together. It has been rather patchy over the first couple of weeks but the first boys that came in worked so hard and the younger boys did well, and now it's good to have the senior boys back.

"Them having the World Cup makes it a tad harder on the physical aspect. We can't do some of the work with the lads that are just back because it is too physical for them, but our aim is to get everybody ready for that first league game of the season.

"If we can do that then we'll have achieved our goal."